Spring-cushioning device.



Patented lul C. P. BYRNES.

SPRING CUSHIONING DEVICE.

(Application filed Mar. 5, 1901.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.v

CLARENCE P. BYRNES, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

Sii'RlNG-CUSHIONINGl DEVlCE..

sPEoIFroA'rIoN fel-ming part of Letters Paraninfo. 704,813, dated July15, 1902 application met Meer 5,1901. seria No. 49,915. (nu man.:

Fig. 2 is a sectionalside elevationv of the4 Same. Fig. 3 is a sectionalplan view of a car-buffer constructed in accordance'with myy invention.Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 5 is a partialplanlview of a modified form of cushioning device, and

Fig. 6 is a broken detail showing armor or.

wear plates I may use forthe-spring.

My invention relates to cushioning devices for receiving shocks orstrains-such asl springs for car-truck holsters, car-buffers,draft-riggings, recoil devices for ordnance, &c.-and is designed toincrease the resisting power of a coiled spring by changing its diameterand causing it to thus bring a friction device into action, the springpreferably forming one member of the friction device.

In Figs. l and-2 of the drawings I show my invention as applied to adraft-rigging of the type shown in the Oase patent, N o. 585,639, datedJuly 29, 1897. In this form 2 is the draw-bar shank, which l isconnected to the draft-rigging by a strap 34 of U-forrn and which strapmay be replaced by a tailbolt extending longitudinally and centrallythrough the draft-rigging. 4 a are the draftirons, having lugs orstop-shoulders 5 and 6, against which bear some of the followers of thedevice. The coiled springs 7 and 8 of the draft-rigging are set in linewith each other and with the draw-bar, and the spring 7 encircles ahollow stein 9, having a head or follower 10, bearing against the frontend of the spring 8 within the box ll. 12 is a follower Which bearsagainst the forward end of the spring 7 and iits around the stein 9,*ithaving preferably a rearwardly-extending cylindrical stop portion 13surrounding the spring. I-i is a follower which lits around the stem 9between the follower l() and the rear end of the spring 7. At the rearend of the spring 8 is a follower l5, formed as part of 'the box ll, andthis box bears at its front end against the follower I4. The box Il ispreferably rectangular in cross-section, as are the followers 12, 14,and l5, so that they may fit between and be vguided by the draft- Thebox ll is, however, provided with an interior cylindrical or partlycylindrical portion, forming a barrel around the spring S. The followerl0 is preferably, though not necessarily, integral with the stern 9, andthe same is thecase with the followerl and the box Il.

The parts above described are similar to those of the patent referred toand forln no part of my invention, which lies in the means forincreasing the resistance of the spring or springs by causing them toforxnparts of friction devices. To edect this result, Ipro- Vide eachendof the spring 7 with a lug 16, which projects inwardly toward the axisof the coil, and these lugs are held within slots 17 of the hollow stern9, the slots being inclined in opposite directions to the axis of thestern, as shown in Fig. I, and for the saine purpose the spring S isprovided at its front end with an extension orlug 18, which projectsoutwardly and lits within a slot 19 in the barrel portion of the'box 11.This slot 19 is inclined relatively to the axis of the sprin g, theinclination being such that when a buffing strain is received by thedraft-rigging the spring projection, being forced along in the slot byfollow'erlO, will expand the spring and cause it to frictionally engagethe inner faces of the barrel Il. At the saine time that this action istaking place the compression of the spring 7 and the endwise movement ofthe stem 9 causes its end lugs to inove within the slots I7, and' thuscontract and decrease the diameter of the spring, causing it to claspand frictionally engage the hollow stem 9. Thus under bufting strain Inot only secure the resisting power of the two springs, but also thefrictional resistance generated by their engaging and pressing againstthe outer surface of the stem and the inner surface of the barrel,respectively.

Under pulling strain the spring Sis not com- IOO pressed, and thecompressing of the spring 7 again causes it to engage its containedstem, and thus obtain frictional resistance in addition to resistance ofthe spring itself.

If desired, the parts can be easily changedV to bring both springs intoplay under pulling strain-as, for example, by interposing a washer-stop,which will cause the end of the stem 9 to bear against the end of thefollower 12.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I show my invention as applied to a car-buffer. In thisform 2O is a spring box Aor barrel of cylindrical form, having abase-flange 21 for securing it to the car. This box has at its other enda laterally-projecting ange 22, with slots or recesses to allow thepassage of similarly-shaped lugs on a ring or collar 23 and whichfurther engage osets or ribs on the inner face of the cup friction-plate24. This friction-plate 24: is provided with an inwardly-projectin gplate or cylinder 25, having an inclined slot 26, which engages aninward projection at the front end of the spiral spring 27. 'Ihe otherend of the spring is provided with a lug or projection, which engages arecess in boss or projection 28 and holds the spring against turning inthe barrel. 29 is a small spiral spring within cylinder 25 to return theparts to Itheir normal position. When a bufiing shock is imparted to theplate 24, the spring 27 is compressed and at the same time is expandedor enlarged in diameter, so that it frictionally engages the inside ofthe barrel 20. lVhen the parts resu me their normal position, the springwill contract toits original diameter.

Instead of changing the diameter of the spiral spring during compressionof the spring the spring may remain of the same diameter duringcompression and be expanded or contracted during the lengthening of thespring on recoil. Thus in Fig. 5 I show a springcushion which may form aportion of a draftrigging and wherein the squared front end of thespring is provided with a cylindrical extension fitting and guided in agroove in the inner face of the inclosing barrel. This groove takes theplace of the screw-slot, as shown in Fig. l, and is provided with aspringpressed switch device 30, which is pressed aside as the spring iscompressed and the cylindrical end is forced back in the groove. Afterthis round end or lug 3l has passed the switch device the switch isdrawn back by its spring to close this portion of the groove, and in therecoil of the spring the lug is forced to travel back through aninclined or curved path, constituting a branch groove which leads backinto the head end of the axiallyextending groove. The spring is thusexpanded during the recoil only, and hence the recoil is retarded andslowed down, and after this action has taken place the contraction ofthe spring brings its lug or stub end back into the normal positionshown. It is thus seen that the friction may be easily regulated oneither or both strokes of the spring-that is, during either expansion orcompression, or both.

As the outer face of the spring may wear in practice, I may providearmor for the springs, so that any wear may take place upon this armorinstead of upon the coils themselves. Thus in Fig. 6 I show each turn orcoil as having small arc-shaped wear-plates 32,which fit neatly withinthe surrounding barrel and are sufficiently narrow so that they will notinterfere with the compression of the spring.

It will be understood that the invention may be readily applied to thesprings ofy cartrucks and will prevent the vibrations which occur in theuse of spiral springs. The amount of friction developed can be readilyregulated by changing the shape of the slot or other device which altersthe diameter of the spring.

The advantages of myinvention result from the change of diameter of thespring, which brings the friction device into play, the spring forming apart of the friction system. The friction is obtained Without addedpartsand can be secured by slight alterations in existing forms of cushioningdevices.

The means for changing the diameter of the spring or a part thereof maybe changed, as well as the other parts of the cushioning device, inWhatever connection it is used. The spring-lugs 'where used may extendinwardly or outwardly and engage slots either in the friction-plate oranother plate. The friction-surface may be formed of plates which arestationary relatively to the drawbar and springs. The spring may remainof normal length, the friction-faces traveling longitudinally of it. Incase of an involute the friction may gather between the several turns ofthe coil, and many other variations may be made without departing frommy invention.

I claiml. In a spring-cushion, the combination with a coiled spring, ofmechanism for changing the diameter of at least a part of the spring,and a friction device of which the spring is a member, said frictiondevice being brought into action by changing the diameter of the spring;substantially as described.

2. In a spring-cushion, a coiled spring, a friction-surface adjacentthereto, and a connection with the compressing member for the springarranged to change the diameter of the spring and force a frictiondevice into contact with its coacting surface; substantially asdescribed.

3. In a spring-cushion, a spiral spring, a friction-surface adjacentthereto, an endwisemovable member, and a connection between said memberand the spring arranged to change the diameter of the spring and a fric,

tion device arranged to be forced against the said friction-surface bythe spring when its IOO IIO

scribed.

4. In a spring-cushion, a coiled spring, a diameter-changing deviceengaging the spring, and a friction-surface arranged to frictionallycontact with the spring when its diameter is changed; substantially asdescribed.

5. In a spring-cushion, a coiled spring arranged to forcefriction-surfaces together by changing its diameter, and mechanism fordiameter is changed; substantially as dechanging its diameter during atleast one the spring, and a slot-and-lug connection ar-` ranged tochange'the diameter of the spring upon at least one stroke thereof;substantially as described. Y

9. In a spring-cushion, an armor-clad spring forming one member of afriction device; subi stantially as described.

l0. In a spring-cushion, a spiral spring, mechanism for holding the sameagainst rotation, a friction device arranged to frictionally engage theouter faces of the spring-coils, and mechanism for actuating'thefriction device during at least one stroke of the spring substantiallyas described.

11. In a spring-cushion, a coiled spring, mechanism for preventingrotation thereof, mechanism for changing the diameter of the springduring at least one stroke thereof, and a friction device arranged to bebrought into action by changing the diameter of the spring;substantially as described. i

12. In a spring-cushion, a spring forming one member of a frictiondevice, mechanism for changing the diameter of the spring, and therebyactuating the friction device during a stroke of the spring in onedirection, and mechanism for reducing the amount of friction during thestroke in the opposite direction; substantially as described.

13. In a spring-cushion, a coiled spring,

mechanism for changing the diameter of the same, and a friction devicearranged to engage the outer faces of the coils on the recoilstroke, andbrought into action bythe change in diameter; substantially asdescribed.

14. A spring-cushion containing a coiled spring forming one member of afriction device, and mechanism for actuating thefriction device duringthe recoil only of the spring; substantially as described.

15. In a spring-cushion a coiled spring arranged to forcefriction-surfaces together by a change in its diameter, and mechanismfor changing the length of the spring and simultaneously changing itsdiameter; substantially as described.

,16. In a spring-cushioma coiled spring, means for changing the lengthof the spring, mechanism for changing the diameter of the spring on itsrecoil-stroke, and a friction device arranged to be brought into actionby said change in diameter; substantially as described.

17. A spring-cushion havinga coiled spring, a friction-surface extendinglongitudinally of the spring-axis, and mechanism for changing thediameter of the spring and thereby forcing a friction device againstsaid surface; substantially as described.

1S. A spring-cushion containing .a lcoiled,

spring, a friction device of which the spring forms a member, and meansfor actuatingthe i friction device on one stroke only of the spring, theother stroke beingsubstantially free and unretarded; substantially asdescribed. y

. 1'9. Aspring-cushion containinga coiled spring concentric with theaxis of the cushion, a friction device of which the spring forms amember, mechanism for compressing the spring and thereby actuating thefriction device, and means for increasing the amount of friction of ,therecoil-stroke over that of the compression-stroke; substantially as described.

20. A'spring-cushion containing a coiled spring, a friction device ofwhich thespring forms a member, mechanism for compressing the spring,andmechanism for simultaneously actuating the friction device, the amountof friction aty any point of compression of the spring being independentof the endwise pressure exerted by the spring; substantially asdescribed. p

2l. A spring-cushion containing a coiled spring,mechanismforcompressingthespring,

means for Varying the diameter ofthe sprin g at one point ofthecompression from that at another point of compression, and a frictiondevicebrought into action by the change in diameter; substantially asdescribed.

22. A draft-rigging containing a spring, a friction device arranged toengage the outer faces of the spring-coils, and 4mechanism for changingthe length of the spring and actuating the friction device on both thepulling and buffing strains; substantially as described. l

23. A draft -rigging containing a coiled spring, means for compressingthe spring, a friction device extending longitudinally of the spring,and located exterior to its coils, and mechanism for actuatingsimultaneously the spring and friction device on both the pulling andbuffing strain; substantially as described.L .i

24.151 draft-rigging.containing a spiral spring, a friction devicearranged to be actuated by changing the diameter of the spring,

IOO

IIO

andmeans for actuating the spring and changing its diameter on either apulling' or a bufng strain; substantially as described.

ward the other on both buffing and pullingV strains; substantially asdescribed.

2S. A draft-rigging having a spiral spring concentric with its axis, afriction device within and at least partially inclosed by said spring,followers arranged to compress the spring on both bufng and pullingstrains, and connections independent of the endwise pressure of thespring, said connections being arranged to actuate the said frictiondevice simultaneously with compression of the spring in either'direction; substantially as described.

29. A draft-rigging having a spiral spring, a friction device within thespring, end followers arranged to compress the spring on both buftingand pulling strains, and mechanism actuated by said followers andindependent of the endwise pressure of the spring, said mechanismarranged to simultaneously actuate the friction device on compression ofthe fspring in either bung or pulling strains; substantially asdescribed.

30. A spring-cushion having a coiled spring interposed between theelements to be cushey ioned, a friction device arranged to contactfrictionally with the spring, and an incline arranged to force one ofsaid parts toward the other; substantially as described.

3l. A draft-rigging having a coiled spring, a friction device arrangedto frictionally contact with the spring, and inclines arranged to forceone of said parts toward the other on both bui-fing and pulling strains;substantially as described. i

32. A draft-rigging containing a pair of spring-cushions, eachcontaining a coiled spring, a friction device arranged to frictionallycontact therewith, an incline arranged to force the parts of one cushiontoward each other during bufng strain, and an incline arranged to forcethe parts of the other cushion toward each other during pulling strain;substantially as described.

33. A draft-rigging having a pair of springcushions each containing aspring concentric with the axis, and friction elements, one arrangedaround or including the other, an incline in one cushion arranged tomove one of its friction elements radially during bufing, an incline forthe other cushion arranged to move one of its friction elements radiallyduring pulling, and followers for compressing the springs; substantiallyas described.

34. A Aspring-cushion having friction elements, one arranged around orincluding the other, one of said elements being concentric with the axisof the cushion, a spiral spring within the cushion, a follower arrangedto compress the spring, and an incline arranged to move at least one ofthe friction elements radially when the spring is compressed by thefollower; substantially as described.

35. A spring-cushion containing friction elements, one arranged aroundor including the other, at least one of said elements being concentricwith the axis of the cushion, a spiral spring concentric with the saidaxis and arranged between the follower and one of the friction elements,and an incline arranged to move at least one of the friction elementsradially when the spring is compressed; substantially as described.

36. A spring-cushion having a central longitudinal friction element,another friction element arranged around or including the same, andinclines arranged to force one of said elements radially; substantiallyas described.

37. A draft-rigging having a longitudinal friction element central ofits axis, another friction element located around or including thefirst, and inclines arranged to force one of said elements radially onboth bufng and pulling strains; substantially as described.

38. A spring-cushion having friction elements, one located around orincluding the other, one of said elements being concentric with the axisof the cushion, a spiral spring also concentric with the axis, and anincline arranged to move one of the friction devices radially;substantially as described.

39. A draftrigging having friction elements, one located around orincluding the other, one of said elements being concentric with the axisof the rigging, a spiral spring also concentric with the axis, andinclines arranged to move at least one of the friction devices radiallyon both bung and pulling strains; substantially as described.

40. A spring-cushion having friction elements, one located around orincluding the other, one of said elements being concentric with the axisof the cushion, an incline arranged to move one of the friction devicesradially, a coil-spring concentric with the axis of the cushion, and afollower arranged to exert a force through the spring to actuate thefriction device; substantially as described.

4l. A spring-cushion having a central longitudinal stem,a spiral springaround the stem, and forming part of an including friction device, andan incline arranged to force said friction device toward the axis of thedraft-rigging; substantially as described.

42. A draft-rigging having a central longitudinal friction element,another friction element arranged around or including the same IOOmechanism for moving said elements longitudinally of each other, and anincline arranged to force at least one of the friction elements radiallyin contact With the other;

- substantially as described.

43. A draft-rigging having a lorxgitudinal frictional elementsubstantially concentric with the axis of the rigging, another frictionelement also concentrically arranged, one of said elements beingarranged around or including the other, one of the elements beingradially movable, and an incline arranged to force the movable'frictionelement in a radial direction; substantially as described.

44. A draft-rigging having a longitudinal frictional element concentricwith its axis, another friction element also concentrically arranged,one of said elements being located around or including the other, anincline arranged to move at least one of the elements in a radialdirection, and a coiled spring forming a part of said system;substantially as described.

45. A draft-rigging having a main concentric coiled spring, a frictionsystem arranged to be brought into action'when said spring iscompressed'on bufdng or pulling strain, and a device actuated by thepressure of said main draft-rigging spring, and arranged to relieve thefriction devicegsubstantially as described. A 46. Adraft-riggingcontaininga main coiled spring, and a friction system having movingparts, the said spring having a connection with oneof the parts arrangedto relieve the friction; substantially as described.

47. Asprng-cushion containing a coiled spring, a friction devicearranged to act simultaneously with the spring, and mechan- Y CLARENCEP. BYRNES.

Vitnesses:

H. M. CORWIN, G. B. BLEMING.

